Carboplatin: What to Expect, Side Effects, and More
Carboplatin (brand name: Paraplatin) is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer. It’s usually given in combination with other chemotherapy medicines, including in the TCHP chemo regimen.
It may be prescribed if you have:
locally advanced breast cancer (a breast cancer that has progressed locally but has not yet spread outside the breast and local lymph nodes)
Carboplatin is also used to treat other types of cancers, including:
ovarian cancer
lung cancer
bladder cancer
cervical cancer
See carboplatin prescribing information.
How carboplatin works
Platinum-based chemotherapy weakens or destroys breast cancer cells by damaging the genetic material in the cells and making it hard for the cells to repair.
What to expect during carboplatin treatment
Carboplatin is given intravenously. Typically, you receive carboplatin on the first day of each three- to four-week chemotherapy cycle. Each carboplatin infusion lasts between 15 and 60 minutes.
Carboplatin can also be given weekly in lower doses.
Carboplatin side effects
Like almost all breast cancer medicines, carboplatin can cause side effects, some of them severe.
The most common side effects of carboplatin are:
irregular periods — this can include temporary cessation (usually resume after medication is completed) or permanent cessation of menstrual periods depending on your age and other factors
Carboplatin may also increase the risk of blood clots. If you have any of the following symptoms, notify your doctor immediately:
pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the arm or leg
shortness of breath
chest tightness or pain
coughing up blood
Real patient reviews
Members of our community discuss their experiences with carboplatin in the community forum. Here are some of their comments. Remember, it's very important to talk to your doctor about any side effects you're having and ask about ways to manage them.
“I found the side effects fairly tolerable, just hard on the platelet counts, and started having abnormal liver enzyme levels.” —AllyBee
“I was on Xeloda daily pill for a year with minimal side effects, just my feet being a bit sensitive and peeling. Then carboplatin and gemzar Infusion once every 3 weeks and I had moderate nausea and tiredness, which was tolerable.” —Ibgal
“My hair did go but I refused to shave it so I still have fuzz. Lost some brows and lashes, but only I can tell. I have had NO...repeat...NO...nausea or vomiting (thank you Kytril). Some tingling in fingertips/toes, but no nail changes. Taste changes are not fun but start for me about day 5 after chemo and last 8-10 days then back to almost normal. I've kept up with my exercising, so fatigue has not been an issue.” —wendyk13
Read more in our carboplatin discussion forum.
Paying for carboplatin
The cost of carboplatin may vary. The price you’ll pay depends on the drug manufacturer, your health insurance provider and plan, where you live, and the pharmacy you use.
You may also be charged for the office visits required for carboplatin infusions.
Note: Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before covering carboplatin.
If you have trouble paying for carboplatin, ask your care team about financial assistance programs that may be able to help. Pfizer also has a patient assistance program.
Learn more about financial assistance and medicine cost-lowering tips.
— Last updated on April 30, 2025 at 7:34 PM